Gas powered gun and a pressure tube for a gas powered gun

ABSTRACT

A gas powered gun and a pressure tube for a gas powered gun each comprises a gas regulator between a pressure chamber and a source of compressed gas. The gas regulator comprises a body forming first and second cylindrical portions connected to each other. The first cylindrical portion is in fluid connection with the pressure chamber. A piston is mounted for sliding movement in the first and second cylindrical portions. A valve seat is in the second cylindrical portion. An intermediate chamber is in the second cylindrical portion between the piston and the valve seat and in fluid connection with the source of compressed gas. A passageway through the piston connects the pressure chamber with the intermediate chamber. A biasing member presses the piston resiliently away from the valve seat. A valve seat adjusting mechanism is accessible to a user for adjusting a position of the valve seat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a gas powered gun, comprising apressure chamber and a gas regulator, which is arranged between saidpressure chamber and a source of compressed gas. It also relates to apressure tube for a gas powered gun, comprising a pressure chamber and agas regulator, which is arranged between said pressure chamber and asource of compressed gas.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Air guns are designed to have a controlled amount of high pressure airin a pressure chamber which is forwarded into the gun barrel behind apellet in order to projectile the same out of the barrel. The air or thegas is usually provided from a reservoir of compressed gas at highpressure. In order to present the air or the gas to the pellet at aconstant pressure a regulator can be used.

A regulator is a mechanical device, i.e. a valve that controls the airpressure and the volume available to the fire valve of a pre-chargedairgun. This means that the pressure is always the same and hence anairgun with a regulator shoots with very consistent velocity. A furtheradvantage is that it may get a few more shots on a fill.

When manufacturing the airgun the regulator is preadjusted to thedesired pressure before it is arranged inside the airgun and if thepressure has to be adjusted after manufacturing the regulator has to beremoved entirely from the air gun before it is adjusted. This is timeconsuming and usually requires a test rig in order to get exact values.Thus, there is a need to adjust the regulator in an easier way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has realized that by having a regulator which can beadjusted without removing the regulator time can be saved and the guncan be regulated in an easy way. The present disclosure relates to a gaspowered gun comprising a pressure chamber and a gas regulator, which isarranged between said pressure chamber and a source of compressed gas.The gas regulator comprises:

-   -   a body, forming a first cylindrical portion and a second        cylindrical portion, which are connected to each other, a        diameter of said first cylindrical portion being greater than a        diameter of said second cylindrical portion, said first        cylindrical portion being in fluid connection with said pressure        chamber;    -   a piston mounted for sliding movement in said first and said        second cylindrical portions;    -   a first sealing member, which seals between a large diameter        portion of said piston and said first cylindrical portion;    -   a second sealing member which seals between a small diameter        portion of said piston and said second cylindrical portion;    -   a valve seat sealingly arranged in said second cylindrical        portion;    -   an intermediate chamber formed in said second cylindrical        portion between said piston and said valve seat, said        intermediate chamber being in fluid connection with said source        of compressed gas;    -   a passageway extending through said piston and connecting said        pressure chamber with said intermediate chamber;    -   a biasing member for pressing said piston resiliently away from        said valve seat; and    -   a valve seat adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of the        valve seat, wherein said valve seat adjusting mechanism is        accessible to a user without removing said regulator from said        gas powered gun;        wherein said piston is subject to a first force created by        pressure in said pressure chamber, and a second force created by        pressure in said source of compressed gas, and said piston is        movable against the action of the biasing member from a first        position, in which said piston is separated from said valve seat        so that said passageway is open to allow gas to flow from said        source of compressed gas via said intermediate chamber into said        pressure chamber, to a second position, in which said piston        abuts said valve seat so that said passageway is closed, so        that, when said piston is in its first position, pressure        increases in said pressure chamber until said first force        exceeds a sum of said second force and a spring force of said        biasing member, to thereby move said piston to its second        position, said spring force being dependant on the position of        the valve seat.

Due to the sealing members the forces acting on the piston to urge ittowards the pressure chamber are the high pressure gas from the sourceof compressed gas, i.e. the second force and the spring force of thebiasing member acting on the small diameter portion of the piston. Theforce, i.e. the first force, acting on the piston towards the valve seatis the high pressure gas in the pressure chamber acting on the largediameter portion of said piston. When the pressure in the pressurechamber is sufficiently high, the first force will cause the piston tobe urged towards the valve seat until the piston bears firmly againstthe valve seat to close the passageway in the piston. That is, thepressure inside the pressure chamber increases until the first forceexceeds a sum of the second force and the spring force of the biasingmember. Note that the pressure in the pressure chamber required to causemovement of the piston will be smaller than the pressure in the sourceof compressed gas, due to the difference in cross-sectional area betweenthe large diameter portion and the small diameter portion of the piston.

By being able to adjust the position of the valve seat via a valve seatadjusting mechanism the regulator does not have to be removed to be ableto adjust the pressure inside the regulator. When the valve seatadjusting mechanism moves the valve seat closer to or further away fromthe piston the biasing member has to be compressed a different distance.Thus a different force is necessary to move the piston towards the valveseat and compressing the biasing member until the piston abuts the valveseat. Thereby the pressure inside the pressure chamber can be set andadjusted if necessary.

The smaller the difference in cross-sectional areas between the largediameter portion of the piston and the small diameter portion of saidpiston is, the lighter the spring force afforded by the biasing membermay be. By having the above described design it is possible to arrangethe regulator in the gas powered gun in such a way that the valve seatcan be adjusted without removing it from the regulator.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment the first and the secondcylindrical portions forms a coaxial cylinder, which extends through thewhole regulator body. The cylinder hence forms a through hole in saidregulator body with the first cylindrical portion at one end and thesecond cylindrical portion at the other end.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said valve seat adjustingmechanism is arranged in said second cylindrical portion. Since thefirst cylindrical portion is in fluid connection with the pressurechamber the other end of the cylinder, where the second cylindricalportion is arranged, can be arranged such that it is accessible from theoutside of the body of the gas powered gun. This can, for example, bedone by letting a part of the regulator body, which includes the openingof the second cylindrical portion, extend out over the body of the gunor arranging the opening of the second cylindrical portion in one planewith the outer gun body. Hence, the opening of the second cylindricalportion in the regulator body may be open to the atmosphere. The valveseat adjusting mechanism may hence be reached through the opening of thesecond cylindrical portion. This way the valve seat adjusting mechanismcan be accessible to a user without removing the gun.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment the gas in the source ofcompressed gas is usually air, however any suitable gas may be used.According to at least one exemplary embodiment said valve pressureadjusting mechanism comprises a threaded portion and said secondcylindrical portion comprises a matching threaded portion and said valvepressure adjusting mechanism is adapted to be screwed into and out ofsaid threaded area in said second cylindrical portion. Threadedconnections are easy to manufacture and the parts are easy to assemblyand it is an easy way to adjust the valve seat position.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said threaded portion ofsaid valve pressure adjusting mechanism comprises a tool engagingportion, which is accessible to a user without removing the regulatorfrom said gas powered gun. The tool engaging portion may be so arrangedthat is accessible through a hole in the body of the gun. The toolengaging portion may have the shape of the following type: slot, bolt,pozidriv, square, Robertson, torx or secure torx, hex socket or allenkey, security hex, Phillips, square double, triple double, polydrive,spline drive, double hex, Bristol or pentalobular or any other possibledesign. This way a standard tool, for example, a screw driver may beused.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said threaded portion ofsaid valve pressure adjusting mechanism is connected to a knob, which isaccessible to a user without removing the regulator from said gaspowered gun. By having a knob no extra tool is necessary to adjust thepressure.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said valve seat moves toat least a first position when said valve pressure adjusting mechanismis moved in a direction into said second cylinder portion and said valveseat is adapted to move to at least a second position when said valvepressure adjusting mechanism is moved in an opposite direction. With thephrase “a direction into said second cylinder portion” it is meant thatthe valve pressure adjusting mechanism is moved closer to the piston.The valve seat adjusting mechanism is connected to the valve seat. Thevalve seat adjusting mechanism moves said valve seat between at least afirst position and at least a second position such that said piston isadapted to move a first distance when said valve seat is arranged atsaid first position and to move a second larger distance when said valveseat is arranged at said second position. Hence a larger force has toact on said piston in order to move the piston to the second position ofthe valve seat than to the first position of the valve seat, this sincethe biasing member has to be pressed more together in order to close thepassageway in said piston between said pressure chamber and said sourceof compressed gas.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said valve seat comprisesa piston abutting portion and a valve seat adjusting mechanismconnection part.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said piston abuttingportion and said valve seat adjusting mechanism connection part are madein one piece.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said piston abuttingportion and said valve seat adjusting mechanism connection part are twodifferent parts connected to each other. If one part breaks, it may beeasier to replace it.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said piston abuttingportion is made of plastic. Plastic has the advantage of beingadaptable. The area of the piston, which engages the piston abuttingportion, and the piston abutting portion itself may not always matcheach other 100 percent, due to manufacturing tolerances. If the pistonabutting portion is made of plastic, the plastic piston abutting portionwill adapt to the piston and seal between the piston and the pistonabutting portion. If the piston abutting portion has to be replaced itis advantageous that the piston abutting portion is a separate part fromthe valve seat adjusting mechanism connection part, then only the pistonabutting portion has to be replaced.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said biasing member isarranged in said first cylindrical portion between said large diameterportion of said piston and an annular portion between said first andsaid second cylindrical portions.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said biasing membercomprises of one or more spring discs. An advantage of using springdiscs is that it is easy to adjust the force by adding or removingspring discs. Alternatively, other springs suitable for the applicationmay be used instead of spring discs.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said body furthercomprises an atmospheric passage extending between an opening to theatmosphere and said first and said second cylindrical portions betweensaid first and said second sealing members.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said source of compressedgas is a bottle or a tube comprising compressed gas.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment said gas powered gunfurther comprises a barrel adapted to receive a projectile, anopen-close valve for exhausting compressed gas from said pressurechamber to discharge a projectile in the barrel.

In yet another embodiment, the valve seat is sealed against the innerwall of the body by two axially displaced sealing elements, and thefluid connection between the intermediate chamber and the source ofcompressed gas comprises a channel through the valve seat which channelhas a first opening facing the piston and a second opening between thetwo sealing elements, and a channel through the body having an openingbetween the two sealing elements.

With this design, the fluid connection can be effectively sealed by thepiston making contact with the valve seat and closing the first opening.This in turn requires a relatively small pressure on the piston to closethe fluid connection, enabling a relatively weak biasing member.

As an example, the first opening may be located centrally on an uppersurface of the valve seat, and the passage-way through teh piston mayhave an opening into the intermediate chamber at a distance from acentral axis of the piston. This makes it possible for the centralsurface of the puiston to close the first opening.

The present disclosure also relates to a pressure tube for a gas poweredgun, wherein the pressure tube comprises a pressure chamber and a gasregulator, which is arranged between said pressure chamber and a sourceof compressed gas. The gas regulator comprises:

-   -   a body, forming a first cylindrical portion and a second        cylindrical portion, which are connected to each other, a        diameter of said first cylindrical portion being greater than a        diameter of said second cylindrical portion, said first        cylindrical portion being in fluid connection with said pressure        chamber;    -   a piston mounted for sliding movement in said first and said        second cylindrical portions;    -   a first sealing member, which seals between a large diameter        portion of said piston and said first cylindrical portion;    -   a second sealing member which seals between a small diameter        portion of said piston and said second cylindrical portion;    -   a valve seat sealingly arranged in said second cylindrical        portion;    -   an intermediate chamber formed in said second cylindrical        portion between said piston and said valve seat, said        intermediate chamber being in fluid connection with said source        of compressed gas;    -   a passageway extending through said piston and connecting said        pressure chamber with said chamber;    -   a biasing member for pressing said piston resiliently away from        said valve seat, and    -   a valve seat adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of the        valve seat, wherein said valve seat adjusting mechanism is        accessible to a user without removing said regulator from said        pressure tube,        wherein said piston is subject to a first force created by        pressure in said pressure chamber, and a second force created by        pressure in said source of compressed gas, and said piston is        movable against the action of the biasing member from a first        position, in which said piston is separated from said valve seat        so that said passageway is open to allow gas to flow from said        source of compressed gas via said intermediate chamber into said        pressure chamber, to a second position, in which said piston        abuts said valve seat so that said passageway is closed, so        that, when said piston is in its first position, pressure        increases in said pressure chamber until said first force        exceeds a sum of said second force and a spring force of said        biasing member, to thereby move said piston to its second        position, said spring force being dependant on the position of        the valve seat.

The features related to the regulator described in relation with the airpressure gun relate also to the regulator in the pressure tube and willhence not be described again. However, said source of compressed gas isa chamber in said pressure tube, which is filled with gas. Further, thepressure chamber in the tube is connected to a chamber in the gaspowered gun during use of the gun and hence they form together apressure chamber.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitlydefined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device,component, means, step, etc.]” are to be interpreted openly as referringto at least one instance of said element, device, component, means,step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention willappear from the following detailed disclosure, as well as from thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent disclosure, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure, with reference to the appendeddrawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similarelements, wherein:

FIG. 1a shows a gas powered gun according to a first embodiment in across-sectional view in a ready-to-shoot position.

FIG. 1b shows the gas powered gun in FIG. 1a when the hammer has beenreleased.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show the regulator in FIGS. 1a and 1b in more detail andwith the piston in the regulator in FIGS. 1a and 1b in two positions.

FIG. 3 shows the regulator in FIGS. 1a and 1b, 2a and 2b with the valveseat and the valve seat adjusting mechanism in a second position.

FIG. 4 shows a gas powered gun and a regulator according to a secondembodiment in a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 5 shows a regulator according to a third embodiment in across-sectional view.

All the figures are highly schematic, not necessarily to scale, and theyshow only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention,other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detailin the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1a and 1b shows a gas powered gun 1. The gun 1 is of the kindwhere a bottle 2 of compressed air or other gas is fitted to the body 3of the gun 1. The compressed gas is fed to a pressure chamber 11 andwhen the trigger 15 of the gun 1 is pulled, the compressed air isforwarded to a space 10 behind a bullet 12 which fires the bullet 12. Inmore detail, the bottle 2 is connected to the gun 1 at the front. Aconnector 95 is arranged between the bottle 2 and the gun 1 and it isused to fill the bottle 2 with gas. The gun 1 also comprises a gasregulator 20. A passage 16 in the gun body 3 forwards the gas from thebottle 2 into the regulator 20, which regulates the gas pressure in thepressure chamber 11. The gun 1 further comprises a barrel 4, and afeeder pin 5 slidably arranged in a housing 6 behind the barrel 4. In aspace between the barrel 4 and the feeder pin 5 is fitted a magazine(not shown) to an inlet 7 for providing projectiles, e.g., in the formof diabolo bullets 12. The feeder pin 5 is arranged to be slid back,thereby allowing a bullet to be provided from the magazine, and then tobe slid forward, thereby feeding the bullet 12 into a firing position inthe barrel 4, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1 b.

The gun 1 further comprises an open-close valve 8, which is arranged inthe pressure chamber 11 for allowing passage of compressed gas from thebottle 2 to the space 10 immediately behind the bullet 12 in the barrel4, and a sliding hammer 9, which actuates the open-close valve 8 at themoment of firing. When the gun is in a loaded position the hammer 9 isbiased towards the valve 8 by a biasing spring 13, and is held in aloaded position, against the force of the biasing spring 13, by a catch14 (see FIG. 1a ). A trigger 15 is arranged to actuate the catch 14 inorder to release the hammer 9. After firing the gun 1 the hammer 9 isbrought back to its loaded position. The trigger-stopper-cooperation canbe done in many different ways and will not be explained further sincethis is common knowledge to the person skilled in the art.

In the illustrated example, the open-close valve 8 has a main bodyoriented essentially in the longitudinal direction of the gun 1, andcomprises a valve head 8 a adapted to cooperate with an opening of thepressure chamber 11 in front of the valve 8, the opening thus acting asa valve seat 8 b. The pressure inside the pressure chamber 11 keeps thevalve head 8 a in place against the valve seat 8 b, thus effectivelysealing the pressure chamber 11. The valve head 8 a is additionallybiased against the valve seat 8 b by a biasing spring 18. Anotherchannel 19 connects a passage 16 behind the valve seat 8 b with thespace 10 behind a bullet 12 in the barrel 4. When the hammer 9 isreleased it is forced by the spring 13 into contact with a portion 96,to which said valve head 8 a is a part of. This is shown in FIG. 1b .The hammer 9 pushes the valve head 8 a out of sealing contact with thevalve seat 8 b (not shown) to thereby allow an exhaust of gas throughthe channel 19 to the space 10 behind the bullet 12. However, many othersolutions for an open-close valve 8, to be actuated by the hammer 9, arepossible.

FIG. 1a shows the gun in a ready-for-fire-position. In this condition,the feeder pin 5 has been slid into the barrel 4, and fed the bullet 12into the firing position. The hammer 9 is in a loaded position and thevalve 8 seals the pressure chamber 11. When the hammer 9 is in a loadedposition it is held in place by the catch 14, against the force of thebiasing spring 13. The pressure chamber 11 has not yet been filled withhigh pressure air from the bottle 2.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show the regulator 20 in FIGS. 1a and 1b in more detailand will be described together. The illustrated regulator 20 comprises abody 21, a piston 30, and a biasing member 40, where the biasing member40 is a set of spring discs 40. FIG. 2a shows the piston 30 in a firstposition. FIG. 2b shows the piston 30 in a second position. Also shownin FIGS. 2a and 2b are 0-rings 41, 42, 43, 44 and a valve seat 50 and avalve pressure adjusting mechanism 60. Typically, the body 21 ismachined of stainless steel and the piston 30 is machined of brass, thespring discs 40 are of spring steel, the 0-rings 41, 42, 43 and 44 areof elastomeric materials and the valve seat 50 is at least partly madeof plastic.

The body 21 has an outer cylindrically stepped shaped form. The body 21is provided with an externally threaded portion 22, which allows theregulator 20 to be screwed into the gas powered gun 1 until it reachesan annular flange 71 on the regulator body 21, since the gun 1 isprovided with a corresponding bore with which the externally threadedportion 42 engages. Part of the regulator is arranged inside the body 3of the gun, and part of the regulator is arranged outside the body 3.However, this is not necessary. The body 21 comprises a firstcylindrical portion 24 with a first opening 23 and a second cylindricalportion 25, which is arranged coaxial with the first cylindricalportion, which together define an inner cylinder in which the piston 30is mounted for sliding movement. The first cylindrical portion 24extends from said first opening 23 in a predetermined distance into saidbody 21 and the second cylindrical portion 25 extends from the bottom ofthe first cylindrical portion into said body 21 and through to the otherend of the regulator body 21, forming a second opening 73. It is notedthat part of the body 21 may be formed directly in the material of thebody 3 of the gun. For example, the first cylindrical portion 24 may beformed in the gun body 3, and the second cylindrical portion 25 in theregulator body 21, as shown e.g. in the embodiment in FIG. 5 below.

The first cylindrical portion 24, which is in connection with thepressure chamber 11 in FIGS. 1a and 1b , has a diameter D1 which islarger than the diameter D2 of the second cylindrical portion 25. Hence,the first piston portion 24 is a large diameter portion of the pistonand the second piston portion is a small diameter portion of the piston.By way of example, the first cylindrical portion 24 may have a diameterD1 of 8 mm+/−2 mm. By way of example, the second cylindrical portion 25may have a diameter D2 of 4 mm+/−2 mm. By way of a second example, thefirst cylindrical portion 24 may have a diameter D1 between 6-14 mm. Byway of a second example, the second cylindrical portion 25 may have adiameter D2 between 3-6 mm, as long it is smaller than the diameter ofthe first cylindrical portion 24. The piston 30 is arranged in the firstand the second cylindrical portions 24, 25 and it has twocorrespondingly stepped portions, i.e. a first piston portion 31 and asecond piston portion 32 which engage within the cylindrical portions 24and 25 respectively. Hence, the first piston portion 31 has a diameterwhich is larger than the second piston portion 32. The piston portions31 and 32 engage the respective cylindrical portions 24 and 25 with aclose fit, and the 0-rings 41, 42 provide sealing between the twoportions 31, 32 of the piston 30 and the cylindrical portions 24 and 25.The piston 30 is formed with a central, longitudinal bore 33, whichforms a passageway for communication between the opposite ends of thepiston 30. By way of example, the longitudinal bore 33 may have adiameter D1 of 1.5 mm+/−0.5 mm. Biasing means in the shape of springdiscs 40 are arranged in the first cylindrical portion 24 between thefirst piston portion 31 of the piston 30 and the bottom of the firstcylindrical portion 24, i.e. between the first piston portion 31 and anannular portion 26 between the first and the second cylindrical portions24, 25. The spring discs 40 are compressed to a desired degree when theregulator 20 is fitted into the gun 1. The strength and the number ofthe spring discs 40, and the degree to which they can be compresseddecides the operating pressure of the assembly.

A bore 90 in the body 21 is connected to a passage in the regulator body(not shown) which affords communication between the ambient atmosphere(or any other external reference pressure) and the cylinder portion, ata point between the 0-rings 41, 42.

The regulator 20 also comprises a valve seat 50, which is arranged inthe second cylindrical portion 25. The valve seat 50 comprises an endsurface 55 which will abut the piston 30 and its end surface 34. In FIG.2a the end surface 55 of the valve seat 50 is arranged at a firstdistance (L1) from the end surface 34 of the piston 30. In FIG. 2b theend surfaces of the valve seat and the piston are abutting each otherand hence the distance L1=0. An intermediate chamber 51 is formed in thesecond cylindrical portion 25 between the piston 30 and the valve seat50. A passage 27 is formed In the body 21 and connects the intermediatechamber 51 with a connection point to which a bottle 2 is connectable(not shown). The passage 27 comprises a third opening 28 in theregulator body, which is connected to the passage 16 in the body 3 ofthe gun 1 (see also FIGS. 1a and 1b .) The passage 16 is connected tothe connection point. By way of example, the passage 27 may have adiameter D1 of 2 mm+/−1 mm.

The piston 30 is mounted for sliding movement in the two cylinderportions 24, 25, and the passageway 33 in the piston connects the firstopening 23 and the third opening 28 in the body 21. At the same time itconnects the pressure chamber 11 with the intermediate chamber 51 in theregulator 20. The function of the spring discs 40 are to bias the piston30 resiliently into the intermediate chamber 51 and towards the valveseat 50. The valve seat 50 is made of two parts connected to each other.The first part 52 is a piston abutting portion, which comprises the endsurface 55. The piston abutting portion is made of plastic, which thepiston 30 will abut. The second part 53 is a valve seat adjustingmechanism connection part. These two parts may be fixedly connected toeach other, for example screwed together, or loosely connected to eachother. The valve seat 50 is provided with an O-ring 54, which sealsbetween the valve seat 50 and the second cylindrical portion 25. TheO-ring 54 is arranged to the valve seat adjusting mechanism connectionpart 53. A valve pressure adjusting mechanism 60 is connected to thevalve seat 50. The valve pressure adjusting mechanism 60 comprises athreaded portion 61 which is screwed into a threaded portion 29 in thesecond cylindrical portion 25 of the regulator 20. The threaded portion61 is at the end facing the valve seat 50 provided with a valve seatcontacting protrusion 62. On the other end the threaded portion has atool engaging portion 63 of type: slot, bolt, pozidriv, square,Robertson, torx or secure torx, hex socket or allen key, security hex,Phillips, square double, triple double, polydrive, spline drive, doublehex, Bristol or pentalobular or any other possible design, which allows,for example, a screw driver to connect to the tool engaging portion. Thescrewdriver is then inserted into the second opening 73 of the regulator20.

The regulator 20 operates as follows. The forces acting on the piston tourge it upwards are the spring force of the spring discs 40 and the highpressure gas from the bottle 2 in FIGS. 1a and 1b acting on the secondsmaller piston portion 32. The force acting on the piston downwardly asseen in FIGS. 1a and 1b is the high pressure gas in the pressure chamberacting the first larger piston portion 31. When the pressure in the highpressure chamber 11 is sufficiently high, the force will cause thepiston 30 to be urged downwardly until the piston 30 bears firmlyagainst the valve seat 50 to close the passageway 33 in the piston 30.That is, high pressure gas from the gas bottle 2 passes through thepassage 16 in the gun 1 and through the third opening 28 and through thepassage 27 in the regulator 20 and into the chamber 51 (seen in FIG. 2a) in the regulator body 21 and due to the sealing provided by the0-rings 42, 41, the high pressure air passes through the longitudinalbore 33 of the piston 30 into the pressure chamber 11 where the pressureincreases (see also FIGS. 1a and 1b ). The pressure increases in thepressure chamber 11 (see FIGS. 1a and 1b ) until the force created bythe pressure in the pressure chamber 11, and which acts of the largerpiston portion 31, exceeds a sum of the force of the high pressure gasfrom the bottle 2 in FIGS. 1a and 1b acting on the second smaller pistonportion 32 and the spring force of the spring discs 40. The piston 30starts to move from its position shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b and FIG. 2a toa second position shown in FIG. 2b . The spring discs 40 are beingcompressed. This continues until the end 34 of the piston 30 abuts theend surface 55 of the valve seat 50 and shuts the flow of gas off (seeFIG. 2b ). A predetermined amount of gas is now arranged in the pressurechamber 11 having a predetermined pressure inside the pressure chamber11. When the trigger 15 is pulled the compressed gas is forwarded to thespace 10 behind the bullet 12 which fires the bullet 12.

When the shot is fired the air pressure in the pressure chamber 11 dropsand the biasing springs 40 lift the piston 30 off its seat allowing highpressure air to flow into the pressure chamber 11 once again and thecycle is repeated.

In order to change the force on the piston 30 created by the pressureinside the pressure chamber 11 the valve seat 50 is movable by using thevalve seat adjusting mechanism 60. When the valve seat adjustingmechanism 60 is screwed into the second cylinder portion 25, the valveseat 50 is pushed and hence moved closer to the piston 30 and its pistonend 34. FIG. 3 shows the seat adjusting mechanism 60 arranged closer tothe piston 30, than in FIG. 2a , i.e. when the piston 30 is in the firstposition. In FIG. 3 the end surface 55 of the valve seat 50 is arrangedat a second distance L2 from the end 34 of the piston 30, which seconddistance L2 is shorter than the distance L1 between the end surface 55of the valve seat 50 and the end 34 of the piston 30 in FIG. 2a . Whenthe valve seat adjusting mechanism 60 is screwed out of the secondcylinder portion 25 the valve seat 50 is allowed to move further awayfrom the piston 30. The valve seat 50 can be pushed back until it abutsthe valve seat adjusting mechanism 60 by the high pressure gas or it canbe connected to the valve seat adjusting mechanism 60 so that it moveswith the valve seat adjusting mechanism 60. Due to the differentdistances which the piston 30 is allowed to move, the biasing springs 40have to be compressed much differently, and hence different forces arenecessary to compress the springs until the end of the piston 30 abutsthe valve seat 50. In order to check the pressure inside the pressurechamber 11 a pressure gauge may be connected to the pressure chamber 11(not shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b ). By way of example, it has been foundthat a regulator constructed as illustrated may regulate an air bottleof 200-300 bar rapidly and effectively to a working pressure of 60-160bar, to within an accuracy of +1-1 bar. This affords a high degree ofaccuracy in shooting, by ensuring that each shoot is taken at asubstantially constant air pressure.

FIG. 4 shows a gas powered gun 1 which is similar as the gun 1 in FIGS.1a and 1b and hence the same reference numbers have been used and thefunction of the gun will not be further explained. However, instead of abottle 2, is a pressure tube 80 arranged at the same position as thebottle 2 in FIGS. 1a and 1b . The regulator 20′ is here arranged in apiece 3′ of the pressure tube 80 instead of in the body 3 of the gun 1and it works the same way. The regulator 20′ is still connected to thepressure chamber 11, which now is larger than in FIGS. 1a and 1b sincethe volume 82 in the pressure tube 80 is part of the pressure chamber11, and hence also has to be filled. On the other end the regulator 20′is connected to the source of pressure 85.

The regulator 20′ has a slightly different design and is connected tothe tube 80 a bit differently than to the body of the gun 1 as explainedand shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b . More specifically, the regulator body 21′is screwed into the piece 3′ through an opening 94 in the tube 80. Theregulator body 21′ and the piece 3′ form the an inner shape of theregulator 20′ in a similar way as the regulator 20 in FIG. 2a is formedby the regulator body 20 and the gun body 3. Here, however, theregulator body part 21′ only forms the second cylindrical portion 25,while the first cylindrical portion 24 is formed by the piece 3′. Theregulator body 21′ is sealed to the piece 3′ by O-rings 43.

The regulator body 21′ also comprises the passage 27 and the bore 90(not shown in FIG. 4). Both are arranged at the same place as in theregulator 20 in FIGS. 2a and 2b and they have the same function.

A piston 30 having the same design as the piston shown in FIGS. 2a and2b is sealingly arranged in the two cylindrical portions just like inFIGS. 2a and 2b . Spring discs 40 having the same design as the springdiscs in FIGS. 2a and 2b are arranged in the same place as described andshown in FIGS. 2a and 2b . The piston 30 and the spring discs 40 areinserted into the piece 3′ before the regulator body 21′ is screwed intothe piece 3′.

The valve seat 50 and the valve seat adjusting mechanism 60 are made inone single part 64, however the function is the same as the valve seat50 and the valve seat adjusting mechanism 60 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b .The regulator 20′ works in the same way as the regulator 20 shown inFIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b and 3 and will hence not be described further.

Further, an insert 91 is arranged in the opening 93 in the gun 1 andseals the opening. A pressure gauge 92 is arranged in order to check thepressure in the pressure chamber 11. The pressure gauge 92 is used tocheck the pressure inside the pressure chamber 11, for example, when theregulator is being adjusted.

FIG. 5 shows a regulator 20″, according to a further embodiment of theinvention, having a different piston 30′ and valve seat 50′.

The regulator 20″ is here illustrated as arranged in the body 3 of thegun and connected to the pressure chamber and the source of compressedgas in the same way as the regulator in FIG. 1. The regulator 20″ may,however, also be integrated in a piece 3′ of a pressure tube 80 asdescribed in connection with FIG. 4. All three embodiments of theregulator 20, 20′, 20″ work in the same way and will not be furtherdescribed. Same reference numbers have been used for the parts havingthe same functions. The shapes and the dimensions of the parts are thesame as described in connection to the regulator in FIGS. 1-3, if notanything else is stated.

The regulator 20″ in FIG. 5 comprises a regulator body 21′, here similarto the regulator body in FIG. 4, in that the body 3 of the gun forms thefirst cylindrical portion 24, while the regulator body part 21′ onlyforms the second cylindrical portion 25. The regulator body 21′ issealed to the body 3 by means of O-rings 43. The dimensions and theshapes are similar to the dimensions and shaped described in connectionwith FIGS. 2a and 2 b.

The regulator body 21′ comprises the passage 27, which connects theintermediate chamber 51 with the passage 16, which connects with the gassource. The body 3 also comprises the bore 90 (not shown in FIG. 5). Thepassage 16″ and the bore 90 are arranged at the same place as in theregulator 20 in FIGS. 2a and 2b and they have the same function.

A piston 30′ having a similar design as the piston shown in FIGS. 2a and2b is sealingly arranged in the two cylindrical portions just like inFIGS. 2a and 2b . It is sealed with an O-ring 41 against the firstcylindrical portion 24, and an O-ring 42 against the second cylindricalportion 25. Spring discs 40 having the same design as the spring discsin FIGS. 2a and 2b are arranged in the same place as described and shownin FIGS. 2a and 2b . The piston 30 and the spring discs 40 are insertedinto the body 3 before the regulator body 21′ is screwed in place.

Also like the piston 30 in FIG. 2a , the piston 30′ has a bore 33extending through the piston to form a passageway for communicationbetween the opposite ends of the piston 30. However, in this embodiment,the bore has a first portion 33 a facing the passage 100, and a secondportion 33 b, facing the chamber 51. The first portion 33 a extendsalong the central axis A1 of the piston, while the second portion 33 bdeviates from the central axis A1, i.e. the centre axis A2 of the secondportion 33 b is in an angle to the centre axis A1. As a consequence, theopening 38 of the second portion into chamber 51 is at a distance fromthe central axis A1. The end surface 34 of the piston 30′ is thus solid.

The diameter of the second portion 33 b is here smaller than thediameter of the first central portion 33 a. By way of example, firstcentral portion 33 a may have a diameter D1 of 1.5 mm+/−0.5 mm.

The regulator 20″ has a valve seat 50′ arranged in the secondcylindrical portion 25, which valve seat is adjustable by means of aadjusting mechanism 60. Similar to the embodiment in FIG. 4, the valveseat 50′ and the adjusting mechanism 60 are here formed in one piece.

In this embodiment, however, the valve seat has a channel 56 having afirst opening 56 a centrally in the upper end surface, and a secondopening 56 b in the side wall. The channel 56 is here L-shaped, but mayhave any suitable shape. The channel 56 ensures a fluid connectionbetween the with the passage 27 (leading to the passage 16 in the gunbody 3) and the channel 100.

Sealing elements, here in the form of O-rings 54 a, 54 b, are arrangedabove and below the second opening 56 b, so as to seal a section of thevalve seat 50 against the inner walls of the body 21′. This ensures apressure tight connection from the channel 27, via the channel 56, tothe intermediate chamber 51. It should be noted that this connection isensured as long as the channel 27 meets the valve seat 50′ at a positionbetween the two O-rings 54 a, 54 b. In particular, it is not necessarythat the opening 56 b faces the channel 27, as indicated in FIG. 5.

In use, when the pressure in the high pressure chamber (not shown inFIG. 5) is sufficiently high, the force will cause the piston 30′ to beurged downwardly until the piston 30′ bears firmly against the valveseat 50′. As the opening 56 a of the channel 56 is centrally located,while the opening 38 of is off centre, the solid end surface 34 of thepiston 30′ will thus close the channel 56, thereby interrupting the flowof gas from the gas source 2.

As the opening 56 a is much smaller than the total cross section of theintermediate chamber 51, the force required to be applied to the pistonin order to close the fluid connection is smaller, and the biasingarrangement 40 may be less powerful.

On the opposite end to the end surface 55 of the valve seat a toolengaging portion 63″ is arranged. The tool engaging portion 63″ may beof the type: slot, bolt, pozidriv, square, Robertson, torx or securetorx, hex socket or allen key, security hex, Phillips, square double,triple double, polydrive, spline drive, double hex, Bristol orpentalobular or any other possible design, which allows, for example, ascrew driver to connect to the tool engaging portion. In order to movethe valve seat 50′, i.e. to regulate the gun in a similar way asdescribed in connection with FIGS. 1-4.

The disclosure has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled inthe art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equallypossible within the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by theappended patent claims.

1. A gas powered gun comprising: a pressure chamber; and a gas regulator, which is arranged between said pressure chamber and a source of compressed gas; said gas regulator comprising: a body, forming a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion, which are connected to each other, a diameter of said first cylindrical portion being greater than a diameter of said second cylindrical portion, said first cylindrical portion being in fluid connection with said pressure chamber; a piston mounted for sliding movement in said first and said second cylindrical portions; a first sealing member, which seals between a large diameter portion of said piston and said first cylindrical portion; a second sealing member which seals between a small diameter portion of said piston and said second cylindrical portion; a valve seat sealingly arranged in said second cylindrical portion, wherein the valve seat is sealed against the inner wall of the body by two axially displaced sealing elements; an intermediate chamber formed in said second cylindrical portion between said piston and said valve seat; a fluid connection between said intermediate chamber and said source of compressed gas, said fluid connection including: a channel through the valve seat which channel has a first opening facing the piston and a second opening between the two sealing elements, and a channel through the body having an opening between the two sealing elements; a passageway extending through said piston and connecting said pressure chamber with said intermediate chamber; a biasing member pressing said piston resiliently away from said valve seat; and a valve seat adjusting mechanism which adjusts a position of the valve seat, wherein said valve seat adjusting mechanism is accessible to a user without removing said regulator from said gas powered gun; wherein said piston is subject to a first force created by pressure in said pressure chamber, and a second force created by pressure in said source of compressed gas, and said piston is movable against the action of the biasing member from a first position, in which said piston is separated from said valve seat so that said passageway is open to allow gas to flow from said source of compressed gas via said intermediate chamber into said pressure chamber, to a second position, in which said piston abuts said valve seat so that said passageway is closed, so that, when said piston is in its first position, pressure increases in said pressure chamber until said first force exceeds a sum of said second force and a spring force of said biasing member, to thereby move said piston to its second position, said spring force being dependant on the position of the valve seat.
 2. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said valve seat adjusting mechanism is arranged in said second cylindrical portion.
 3. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said valve pressure adjusting mechanism comprises a threaded portion and said second cylindrical portion comprises a matching threaded portion and said valve pressure adjusting mechanism is adapted to be screwed into and out of said threaded portion in said second cylindrical portion.
 4. The gas powered gun of claim 3, wherein said threaded portion of said valve pressure adjusting mechanism comprises a tool engaging part, which is accessible to a user without removing the regulator from said gas powered gun.
 5. The gas powered gun of claim 2, wherein said valve seat moves to at least a first position when said valve pressure adjusting mechanism is moved in a direction into said second cylinder portion and said valve seat is adapted to move to at least a second position when said valve pressure adjusting mechanism is moved in an opposite direction.
 6. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said valve seat comprises a piston abutting portion and a valve seat adjusting mechanism connection part.
 7. The gas powered gun of claim 6, wherein said piston abutting portion is made of plastic.
 8. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said biasing member is arranged in said first cylindrical portion between said large diameter portion of said piston and an annular portion between said first and said second cylindrical portions.
 9. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said biasing member comprises one or more spring discs.
 10. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said body further comprises an atmospheric passage extending between an opening to the atmosphere and said first and said second cylindrical portions between said first and said second sealing members.
 11. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said source of compressed gas is a bottle or a tube comprising compressed gas.
 12. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein said gas powered gun further comprises a barrel adapted to receive a projectile and an open-close valve for exhausting compressed gas from said pressure chamber to discharge a projectile in the barrel.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The gas powered gun of claim 1, wherein the first opening is centrally located on an upper surface of the valve seat, and said passage-way has an opening into the chamber at a distance from a central axis of the piston.
 15. A pressure tube for a gas powered gun comprising: a volume adapted to be connected to a pressure chamber; and a gas regulator, which is arranged between said volume and a source of compressed gas; said gas regulator comprising: a body, forming a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion, which are connected to each other, a diameter of said first cylindrical portion being greater than a diameter of said second cylindrical portion, said first cylindrical portion being in fluid connection with said pressure chamber; a piston mounted for sliding movement in said first and said second cylindrical portions; a first sealing member, which seals between a large diameter portion of said piston and said first cylindrical portion; a second sealing member which seals between a small diameter portion of said piston and said second cylindrical portion; a valve seat sealingly arranged in said second cylindrical portion, wherein the valve seat is sealed against the inner wall of the body by two axially displaced sealing elements; an intermediate chamber formed in said second cylindrical portion between said piston and said valve seat; a fluid connection between said intermediate chamber and said source of compressed gas, said fluid connection including: a channel through the valve seat which channel has a first opening facing the piston and a second opening between the two sealing elements, and a channel through the body having an opening between the two sealing elements; a passageway extending through said piston and connecting said pressure chamber with said intermediate chamber; a biasing member pressing said piston resiliently away from said valve seat; and a valve seat adjusting mechanism which adjusts a position of the valve seat, wherein said valve seat adjusting mechanism is accessible to a user without removing said regulator from said pressure tube; wherein said piston is subject to a first force created by pressure in said pressure chamber, and a second force created by pressure in said source of compressed gas, and said piston is movable against the action of the biasing member from a first position, in which said piston is separated from said valve seat so that said passageway is open to allow gas to flow from said source of compressed gas via said intermediate chamber into said pressure chamber, to a second position, in which said piston abuts said valve seat so that said passageway is closed, so that, when said piston is in its first position, pressure increases in said pressure chamber until said first force exceeds a sum of said second force and a spring force of said biasing member, to thereby move said piston to its second position, said spring force being dependant on the position of the valve seat.
 16. The pressure tube of claim 15, wherein said valve seat adjusting mechanism is arranged in said second cylindrical portion.
 17. The pressure tube of claim 15, wherein said valve pressure adjusting mechanism comprises a threaded portion and said second cylindrical portion comprises a matching threaded portion and said valve pressure adjusting mechanism is adapted to be screwed into and out of said threaded portion in said second cylindrical portion.
 18. The pressure tube of claim 17, wherein said threaded portion of said valve pressure adjusting mechanism comprises a tool engaging part, which is accessible to a user without removing the regulator from said pressure tube.
 19. The pressure tube of claim 16, wherein said valve seat moves to at least a first position when said valve pressure adjusting mechanism is moved in a direction into said second cylinder portion and said valve seat is adaptive to move to at least a second position when said valve pressure adjusting mechanism is moved in an opposite direction.
 20. The pressure tube of claim 15, wherein said valve seat comprises of a piston abutting portion and a valve seat adjusting mechanism connection part.
 21. The pressure tube of claim 20, wherein said piston abutting portion is made of plastic.
 22. The pressure tube of claim 15, wherein said biasing member is arranged in said first cylindrical portion between said large diameter portion of said piston and an annular portion between said first and said second cylindrical portions.
 23. The pressure tube of claim 15, wherein said biasing member comprises one or more spring discs.
 24. The pressure tube of claim 15, wherein said body further comprises an atmospheric passage extending between an opening to the atmosphere and said first and said second cylindrical portions between said first and said second sealing members.
 25. (canceled)
 26. The pressure tube of claim 15, wherein the first opening is centrally located on an upper surface of the valve seat, and said passage-way has an opening into the chamber at a distance from a central axis of the piston. 